"Spring is here! I'm so excited I wet my plants!"

Hello my family and friends!!! How are y'all??

I'm doing great! Still loving the mission life as always. I sent SEVEN long recordings and an email containing my testimony about the Book of Mormon so this email is going to be short (because I'm kinda out of things to say, and I'm also out of time.) So I hope you enjoy the recordings!!!

But I just wanted to tell you that I love you all a lot. I think about you often and I pray for you daily. I appreciate every prayer that is said in my behalf. I have felt those prayers a lot over the last five and a half months. So thank you.

I also want to send a BIG HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY TO HANNAH HANCOCK!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!! I HOPE YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WEEK!!! EVERYBODY TEXT HER AND TELL HER I SAID HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! BLOW UP HER PHONE AND FACEBOOK FOR ME BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'D DO IF I WAS HOME! #BewareOfTheIdesOfMarch #BecauseIt'sHannah'sBirthday

I will send some pictures! I hope you all have an INCREDIBLE WEEK and I'd love to hear all about it. Even the struggles. And I also want you to know that two of my very favorite things to get are voice recordings (you can use voice memos) and short videos that you guys record on your phones. I listen to them when I work out in the morning. Just an idea.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN FLORIDIANS LOVE GATORS! <3

I finished the Book of Mormon finished 13 March 2016

I Read while in my first three areas, Leesburg, Daytona, and Buena Vista (Orlando) Florida.

Every time I finish reading the Book of Mormon again I try to record some of my thoughts and feelings and ultimately my testimony of this book. I remember the first time I read it all the way through I wrote in my book these words;

"I have a testimony that the words in this Book of Mormon are true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know that President Monson is also a true Prophet of God."

This was several years ago when I was still in Jr. High and didn't understand most of what was happening in the book, but one thing I did understand was that I knew this book was true.

Not long after this I finished reading the book again for a second time and added to the previous testimony these words;

"I know that I am a daughter of God. I know that I was saved for these last days because I have a great work to do. I know that Jesus Christ is the Living Christ. He is my Savior and my redeemer. He suffered for my sins personally and he died for me. He is the only (only was underlined) way I can return to my Father in Heaven. I have a testimony that if I do my best to keep commandments, through repentance, and the Atonement of Christ I can return to live with him in paradise."

I have re-read the Book of Mormon seven or eight times over the last few years the most recent three times were during senior year while working on mission papers, again after graduation and after I received my mission call to Orlando, Florida (I finished the night before entering the MTC), and here in Florida in my first three areas.

This time I want to add to my testimony by saying that even as a missionary there are still a lot of things that I do not yet know, but this much I do know; that this book is true and it makes people happy. When I finished the Book of Mormon again yesterday I knelt in prayer again and asked God if this book was true. During companionship study my companion asked "did you pray about it?" I responded saying I did. She then asked "did you cry?" I responded that I hadn't, as I'm not usually a cryer. She asked "why not" and I explained that I don't cry very often. She then said "well did you receive an answer?" And I responded "yup...still true!"

I have a testimony that this book is still true. And to put it into the most cliché way possible, I know it has blessed my life. I know the Book of Mormon is a true record, and even more than that I know when applied to our individual lives it can change us, shape us, and help us more fully see the light. I know that I am stronger because of the things I've read in this book. This book is why I packed up all my things and left my family for a year and a half to live in Florida, because the only thing I really want is to tell others about this book in hopes that maybe it will bring them the same peace it's brought me. I owe everything to this book, my family relationships, my best friends, all the experiences I've had, are all a result of this book. So when I am asked my testimony of the Book of Mormon I can respond saying "yup...it's still true!" I know it is. And I invite each of you to read it and find out for yourself.

Sister Whitney Reid 

Florida, Orlando Mission

There are gloves so we can be sanitary when putting gas in the car #Florida

Adam lambert on a unicorn on a car... It's one of the members cars! Haha

Add caption

When missionaries get chalk

Me and Victoria who is moving to Bountiful Utah tomorrow

My families lucky number

Artegon was so cool

 

Me and the Hermanas

District P-day, glow in the dark mini golf

Most of the Zone at Artegon

Our friend Hillary

My desk & wood Florida that I painted. FOM stands for Florida Orlando Mission

Mason, aka Overly Manly Man

Sisters at Tijuana Flats

Orlando, South Zone

"Look at all these legs... Does it ever surprise you how many there are?"

Today I walked into Walmart and this nice black man says "JESUS PEOPLE!!!! Y'ALL ARE MY PEOPLE!!"

I sent several voice recordings about what happened this week so I hope y'all enjoy listening to them.

My week this week has been fabtastic. My companion, Sister Muhlestein, and I have become much closer. Lately we have been singing old country music together a lot. Last night it was the Dixie Chicks. You'd better believe it was pretty amazing (that's a lie... I kept trying to harmonize, but I couldn't..) haha it's pretty fun.

I had a super awesome realization this week. So on my iPad I have a notes tab called my "prayer roll" and then at the end of any lesson with anyone I try to ask them what I can pray for. They usually give me a few things that they or someone close to them is struggling with and I jot those down. Every night when I kneel in nightly prayer I pray for each name individually for the things they have asked me to pray for. At first it was difficult because it lengthens my nightly prayers quite a bit, but over time it has become one of my favorite parts of my daily routine and it has brought some of the sweetest moments.

This has taught me several things. The first thing is that struggling is common to the human experience I am a strong believer that all of us are struggling in one way or another, and if you aren't yet, you will be soon. I've also learned that these struggles are meant to make us stronger and help us grow.

I was sitting in Sacrament meeting yesterday morning and looking over at all the members of the ward and I realized I had a unique perspective of the members of the ward. Because I meet with everyone I know a lot of the deep struggles of some of these peoples hearts. But as I was pondering this I realized that this is a little tiny bit how the Savior must feel. He knows all of the deepest struggles of our hearts. He has such a greater understanding of how we each feel than I do with my little iPad note.

This experience caused me to gain a deeper gratitude for this call in which I've been given. Because for these 18 months I get to do the Savior's work. I get to stand where He would stand and say what He would say if He were here with these people.

I am doing really good. I'm loving the sunshine a whole lot and the people even more. I appreciate every email and letter and email and video and voice recording that I get from y'all. You have no idea how much they motivate me to work hard. I'm so incredibly grateful for the army of people I have behind me encouraging me every week.

I love y'all more than President Monson loves to wiggle his hears! (look up that conference talk if you want a good laugh!)

Have a fantastic week!

--

     -♥- 

Sister Reid

Me, Sister Mohenoa and Skousen at ZC

Sisters Selfie!!!

Notice my spiffy new Mickey hat... I bought it at Walmart...in the kid's section!!!! WHOOO!!!!

Sushi at MIWA

My chalkboard art during weekly planning

There is a guy that writes things about God and Christ in the sky over Disney World quite often. It was windy this day so they are hard to read but they always make me happy.

 

"I'm grateful we have two eyes"

I am doing Bueno!!!

This week has been pretty dang fun. You can listen to the shake down of it all on my voice recordings. 

So the other day we were at a dinner with some members (Brooklynn and Sarah) that feed us on a regular basis. My companion had just finished telling a story about this man she knew that had fake eyeballs that she would help him put in every day (she worked in a nursing home.) Soon after we decided it was time to say a closing prayer and leave. Sarah was saying the closing prayer and in the middle of her prayer with all sincerity she said "Heavenly Father.... I'm so grateful we have two eyes." And we all about lost it. You know those moments when you're chocking back laughs because you are supposed to be reverent, but you can only halfway keep the laughs from coming out and in the end you find yourself with tears falling down your face and the best ab workout you've had in five months??? Ya this was one of those times!

The mission life is pretty dang fun. And my YSA peps make me happy.

I was sitting at night sacrament meeting last night and I watched as several people came in and took their seats. Since I was sitting in the back I could see everyone as they walked it. There were a pretty large amount of people that when they saw me smiled and waved. This was a simple thing, but it hit me just how many people I have around me that love me. I was overwhelmed with how many people have touched my life in this ward. And then while I was pondering this during sacrament meeting it also hit me that I have so many people that have touched my life that aren't even in this ward. So to all the people that have listened to me teach a lesson, fed me a meal, or smiled to me on the street, to all my friends back home, all the family members near and far, all the people that have shared a spiritual experience while I've been present, all the tumbling friends, fellow missionaries, and acquaintances. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

My favorite miracle of the week (besides finding 7 new investigators!!! WHOOO!) was on Saturday when our keys got locked in our trunk and the elders were able to get them out using chopsticks, bobby pins, and a fork. 

"The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, KEYS MAY GET LOCKED IN THE TRUNK, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say "the work is done." #TAKETHATSATAN!!

This week in my studies I got to the BEST PART OF THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! If you don't know what part that is, then it's when Christ comes.

I decided to look at it with a little bit of a different perspective. I decided to imagine myself as one of the people in the crowd watching it happen around me. What would I think when I see Nephi receive the authority to baptize? (3 Nephi 11:21) How would I feel when I heard the Savior pray for me. (3 Nephi 18) Who would I want to talk to during all the excitement that night before everyone gets baptized? (3 Nephi 19:2) 

It has been so cool to see myself in the scriptures. If you haven't done it yet I encourage you all to try it!!

Anyways, my week has been great and I hope everyone is doing well. Keep me posted on all the things that are happening. 

CONGRATS TO KYRA FOR GETTING HER MISSION CALL!!! WHOOO!

That is all I've got for y'all this fine day.

I love you more than Mormons love green jello. 

'Ofa-Atu!

-Sista Reid 🐊

Planning by the pool at our apartment, although we can't stay if anyone else shows up.

My favorite street sign

Splits with the STL

My pin at Chick-fil-a, the black one

Leaf vacuuming at the Temple

"As for me and my cement box, we will serve the Lord."

Hello my wonderful family and friends!

First of all, TRANSFER CALLS HAVE COME! I am staying in Buena Vista and Sister Lewis is going to Bellview. In the past we have had transfer meetings to switch areas, but reticently Elder Oaks announced that there will no longer be transfer meetings. So now we get to find out where we are going and who our new companion is the Saturday before, and then on transfer Tuesday we drive directly to our new area and start to work right off the bat! I am getting Sister Muelstein (I'm not sure if that's how you spell her name.) AND I AM SO EXCITED!!

I made two recordings this week that SENT! Hallelujah! This is the first time in a long time that I have been able to get them work and send correctly. #Blessings. They contain the run-down of what I did every day this week so if you're interested in that give them a listen. If not, here are some of my highlights of the week.

I wasn't able to send pictures last week so I forgot to talk about this! But last week we were at the church for FHE and one of the members told us to come outside to look at something. So we did and THERE WAS A BABY GATOR RIGHT BY THE CHURCH!! I sent a couple of pictures of it. Someone should show them to Keaton for me and tell me what he thinks about them.

So... funny story from this week! We had finished weekly planning on Friday and Sister Lewis was praying to close. She was trying to say "we pray that we will be effective advocates for Thee." But she couldn't think of the word "advocate" so her prayer went a little something like this...

Sister Lewis: "we pray that we'll be effective adversaries..."

Sister Reid: (whisper yell) "that's the devil!!!"

Sister Lewis: "what's the word??"

Sister Reid: "advocate??"

Sister Lewis: "sure..."

And then we both fell into that state where you're trying hard not to laugh because you're supposed to be reverent, but you can't so you pretty much end up crying instead. It was incredibly funny.

My week has been incredible this week. I love this ward with all my heart and I love being a missionary! One of my very favorite parts about missionary work is seeing the atonement work in people’s lives. I have been able to witness many people use the atonement recently and it is amazing to me how much Christ really does love each of us. What a blessing it is to have access to the infinite atonement in our everyday lives. 

Last night I was sitting at night Sacrament and "A", one of our former investigators who still comes to church and activities every week, but that isn't ready for the missionaries, stood and bore a beautiful testimony of the Savior. She said a line that really stuck out to me. She said "Being a church of Jesus Christ is a pretty big deal." and then she went on to say "I notice it on the sign out front every time I drive past, and maybe that's why I keep coming back." That was interesting to hear coming from someone who is not a member of this church. 

There is something wonderful in the fact that we know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is incredible to live in a time when Christ's church has been established once again on the earth. Like "A" said, it is a big deal and something we should not take for granted. 

I am incredibly grateful that I not only have the gospel in my life, but that I also have the opportunity to introduce it to others lives. If you've read it a thousand times, or if you have not yet had a chance to pick it up, I urge you all to read the Book of Mormon, to pray about its teachings, and to put it into practice in your life. I urge you to do this because I know what it can do for you. 

I love you all so much and I want to wish you all a very happy Valentine’s Day!! And in honor of Valentine’s Day I want you all to go look up John 3:16 for me. It's the greatest Valentine’s Day gift you've ever been given.

I love you all more than President Uchtdorf loves airplanes.

-Sister Reid <3

Tracting in the Rain

Chickens in the parking lot

Temple selfie

Sister Reid, Sister Lewis, Sister Duran

Zone Conference

Sister Duran & Sister Reid

Orlando South Stake

I love Sister Duran

Orlando Temple

Temple with Lacey

Only in Florida

Yellow dog eats missionary fence

Chickens in the parking lot

 

 

Baby gator at church

Sister Lewis, Sister Duran & Sister Reid

Yellow watermelon from Disney World

Taking apart Sister Lewis' bike

Happy Birthday President Berry

Sister Reid & Sister Lewis at church. We get the best pictures from members in Florida.

Sister Reid & Sister Guynn